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Home My WebLink About9C - Comprehensive Lake Management Plan MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT FEBRUARY 16, 1999 9C LANOL LEICHTY, WATER RESOURCES COORDINATOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF PROPOSED LAKE ADVISORY COMMITIEE PROCESS TIMELINE AND FUNDING FOR COMPLETION OF COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN. Historv High lake levels above 904.0 during the summer of 1998 triggered the implementation of the slow no-wake ordinance. Concern about shoreline erosion caused Council to review the existing slow no- wake ordinance and considered lowering the slow no-wake elevation to 903.50 at the August 3, 1998, City Council meeting. After receiving public comment at the meeting Council directed the Lake Advisory Committee (LAC) to prepare a Comprehensive Lake Management Plan (CLMP), directive 98-63. Current Circumstances The LAC has been working on this directive since last August determining what the main issues are, how to prioritize them, and what process to follow in developing a CLMP. To help in identifying the lake issues the public was most concerned with, a questionnaire was developed and published in the Prior Lake American on October 3, 1998. Approximately 130 surveys were returned. The survey asked residents to rank in order of importance, (1 being the most important) the following issues: surface water regulation, water quality, shore land preservation, lake level management, land use practices and other. Exhibit 1, attached, is a chart showing the citizens rankings of the issues. Residents ranked the six categories as follows (most to least important): water quality, lake level management, surface water regulation, shore land preservation, land use practices and other. At the October 21, 1998, meeting the LAC reviewed questionnaire responses. After considering those areas where the City could have the greatest impact the committee modified priorities to include the following: 1- Shore land Preservation 2- Surface Water Management 3- Water Level Management 4- Water Quality G:\AGENDA99\LACCLMP.DOc 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER G:\AGENDA99\LACCLMP.DOC v 5- Land Use Practices 6- Public Education Efforts. > All ofthe issues affect water quality of the lake. Knowing that there is DNR grant money available for natural resource related improvements, the LAC decided to move Shore land Preservation up to the number 1 priority. At the November 18, 1998, LAC meeting members approved a proposed schedule and timeline for addressing each issue. This proposed schedule and timeline is attached as Exhibit 2. At the January 20, 1999, LAC meeting the committee agreed upon the proposed process and action steps to use in preparing the CLMP. The committee also decided that one Ex Officio member each should be invited to represent the Watershed, Prior Lake Association, Sportsman's Club and DNR while the LAC prepares the CLMP. Ex Officio members will not have voting power on the committee, but will have a direct voice in the decision making process as issues are discussed. The CLMP Process and issue action steps are attached as Exhibit 3. Issues As indicated in the prioritization of the six issues, the first issue the LAC intends to work on is shoreline preservation. Today's shore land areas are a "historical document" reflecting past practices and societal values. In order to address this issue the committee believes that a Shore land Management Action Plan needs to be developed. The committee does not believe that a CLMP can be prepared without a commitment from Council to support the effort with the required resources. A plan needs to be completed to provide data for decision making purposes. The plan will be the first step in defining and quantifying shoreline erosion on Prior Lake. The following elements would be included in the plan: . A graphic and photographic inventory of current shore land conditions on Prior Lake. . Assessment of needs and problems. . Identification and evaluation of options for shore land management. . Determination of costs and potential funding sources to implement these options. . A specific plan and priorities to improve shore land management to benefit the health and quality of the lake. The following two options are proposed for completing such a plan: 1) Apply for a DNR matching grant through the Conservation Partners Grant Program. This money would be used to hire a consultant to conduct the study. The grant application is due March 31, 1999, and the grant awards announced in the fall of 1999. The grant project must be completed by December 31, 2001. If the project is not awarded funding, the LAC will come back to Council in the fall of 1999 with an alternative for completing the study. 2) Conduct the study in-house. A summer worker would be hired to perform most of the study under the direction of the Water Resources Coordinator and outside expertise. Conclusion The committee wants Council to know that the proposed timeline and schedule are subject to change depending on future circumstances, such as changes to County, State or Federal laws, length of time needed to address an issue or changes in issue priority. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The funding for the matching grant, if awarded by the DNR, could be placed in the year 2000 Water Quality budget. The maximum City cost for this option would be the matching amount of $10,000.00. If Council decides that it would be best to prepare the plan in-house and hire a summer worker, this could be financed from the 1999 Water Quality budget through Professional Services. The approximate cost for this option is: . summer worker: 8 weeks at 40 hrs.lweek @ $11/hr. = $3,520.00 . Consultant study overview: 24 hrs @ $75/hr = $1.800.00 . Total = $5,320.00 ALTERNATIVES The following alternatives should be considered by the City Council in proceeding with preparation ofthe CLMP: 1. Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Timeline and Schedule a. Approve the CLMP timeline and schedule as shown on Exhibit 2. b. Amend the CLMP time line and schedule and provide the LAC direction. 2. Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Process and Action Steps a. Approve ofthe Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Process and Action Steps as shown on Exhibit 3. b. Amend the CLMP Process and Action Steps and provide the LAC direction. 3. Shoreland Management Action Plan G:IAGENDA99\LACCLMP.DOC a. Advise staff to apply for a $10,000.00 Conservation Partners Grant through the DNR to hire a consultant to prepare a Shoreland Management Action Plan. b. Advocate staff to prepare a Shore land Management Action Plan with the help of a summer worker and consultant expertise. c. Provide the LAC direction in addressing the Shoreland Preservation issue. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Motion and a second to approve the Comprehensive Lake Management Plan Timeline and Schedule in alternative 1 a; the Comprehensive Lake Management Plan and Action Steps in alternative 2 a; and th pursuit of a $10,000.00 (maximum) Conservation Partners G t through the DNR to hire a consultant to prepare a Shor d M agement Action Plan in alternative 3 a. REVIEWED BY: G:\AGENDA99\LACCLMP.DOc EXHIBIT 1 1998 LAKE QUESTIONNAIRE ISSUE RANKINGS RANKING 1 2 3 4 5 6 TOTAL PERCENT OF ISSUE RECEIVING THIS RANKING SURFACE WATER REG. 17% 17% 14% 25% 19% 3% WATER QUALITY 48% 21% 17% 9% 4% 1% SHORELAND PRESERVATION 6% 24% 28% 22% 19% LAKE LEVEL MANAGE. 25% 22% 21% 10% 14% 6% LAND USE PRACTICES 3% 14% 17% 27% 31% 5% OTHER 3% 4% 1% 2% 18% 23% EXHIBIT 2 COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN SCHEDULE APPROVED BY LAC 11-18-98 Modified 2-9-99 ISSUE PRIORITIZATION (Approved by LAC 10-21-98) PROPOSED DATES INFORMATIONAL MEETING PRESENT INFORMATION (HELD BY LAC) TO COUNCIL Uf Fall of 1999 1< Fall of 1999 1) SHORELAND PRESERVATION or or Fall of 2000 Fall of 2000 2) SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT MAY, 1999 JUNE,1999 3) WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT ONGOING MEETINGS AND WHEN SUITABLE DISCUSSIONS WITH WATERSHED (~ 2000) THROUGH YEAR 2000 4) WATER QUALITY AUGUST, 1999 SEPTEMBER, 1999 5) LAND USE PRACTICES OCTOBER, 1999 NOVEMBER, 1999 6) PUBLIC EDUCATION JANUARY, 2000 (ONGOING) FEBRUARY, 2000 / -* Q)f{j ~-vJ..5 eM ~ I &Gi3/1'\., ~ SCHEDUL3.DOC . > EXHIBIT 3 COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN PROCESS ADOPTED BY LAC 12-16-98 REVISED 1-21-99 1. Prepare project timeline, priorities, etc. and recommend who should serve as ex officio members for duration of the process. A. Ex officio members would be invited from the Watershed District, Prior Lake Association, Sportsman's Club and DNR. 2. Obtain City Council endorsement. 3. Invite ex officio members to attend meetings. 4. Begin outlining action steps to take on each issue. 5. As each issue is completed by the Lake Advisory Committee, seek City Council endorsement of the proposal. 6. When all issues have been addressed, compile the complete plan. 7. City Council/LAC to conduct final informational/public hearing. 8. City Council adopts final Comprehensive Lake Management Plan. 9. Publication of the plan completed and Public Education program underway. 10. Periodic review of plan by the Lake Advisory Committee with recommendations for amendments to City Council as necessary. 16200 ~Q~~~. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN SHORELINE PRESERVATION ACTION STEPS ADOPTED BY LAC 12-16-98 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. 3. A. Employ the services of a consulting firm to conduct a shoreline erosion study. Apply for a DNR matching grant, due March 31, 1999, for funding of the study. Study would be completed in the summer of year 2000. OR: 8. City staff to carry-out a shoreline erosion study. Hire a summer intern to conduct the study under the guidance of the Water Resources Coordinator. Study would begin during the summer of 1999. 4. Lake Advisory Committee reviews 1, 2 and 3 above, and provide staff direction. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 5. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting. 6. Lake Advisory Committee modifies recommendation accordingly. 7. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. PROCESS.DOC LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT ACTION STEPS 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. 3. Lake Advisory Committee prepares a preliminary set of recommendations. 4. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting. 5. Lake Advisory Committee reviews knowledge from informational meeting and modifies recommendation accordingly. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 6. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. 7. Public hearings are held as necessary. PROCESS.DOC LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN WATER LEVEL MANAGEMENT ACTION STEPS 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. Work closely with the Watershed with outlet control issues. 3. Lake Advisory Committee reviews 1, and 2 above, and provide staff direction. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 4. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting. 5. Lake Advisory Committee modifies recommendation accordingly. 6. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. PROCESS.DOC 'T .. LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN WATER QUALITY ACTION STEPS 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. 3. Lake Advisory Committee reviews 1, 2 and 3 above, and provide staff direction. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 4. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting. 5. Lake Advisory Committee modifies recommendation accordingly. 6. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. PROCESS.DOC LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN LAND USE PRACTICES ACTION STEPS 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. 3. Lake Advisory Committee reviews 1 and 2 above, and provide staff direction. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 4. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting, if necessary. 5. Lake Advisory Committee modifies recommendation accordingly. 6. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. PROCESS.DOC LAKE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COMPREHENSIVE LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTION STEPS 1. Inventory existing laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. which exist regarding the subject issues. 2. Committee evaluates what, if any, unanswered issues exist and potential ways of addressing each one. 3. Lake Advisory Committee reviews 1,2 and 3 above, and provide staff direction. Work product is a set of recommendations for change. 4. Lake Advisory Committee conducts informational meeting. 5. Lake Advisory Committee modifies recommendation accordingly. 6. Recommendation is taken to City Council for preliminary approval. PROCESS.DOC